Dr. Andrew Wheatley, Minister of Science, Energy and Technology (second left) getting a quick lesson on the Hydro Rig at the Wigton Renewable Energy Training Lab from Wigton Windfarm Engineer, Sanja Simmonds (left) after the official opening of the Lab in November 2016. The Hydro Rig is one of the pieces of equipment which the Wigton Lab will have on display at the PCJ Jamaica Alternative Energy Expo, which is scheduled for June 16 and 17 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston. Also in photograph are (from third left) British High Commissioner to Jamaica, David Fitton, Board Director, Wigton Windfarm Limited, Trevor Webb, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology (MSET), Hillary Alexander and Chairman, Wigton Windfarm Limited, Duane Smith.

Wigton Windfarm Limited will have pieces of the state of the art equipment from its recently opened Renewable Energy Training Lab on display at the PCJ Jamaica Alternative Energy Expo which is scheduled for June 16 and 17 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston.

Over the course of the two-day event, persons who visit the Wigton booth can get a first-hand look at a selection of the Training Lab’s resources; including a hydro-station, a wind tunnel display, a wind turbine prototype, a solar trainer and wind turbine kits. Also, prospective students will have the opportunity to gather information about the training centre’s offerings and view demonstrations of the equipment that outfits the Lab which is located in Rose Hill, Manchester.

Officially opened in November 2016, the Wigton Renewable Energy Training Lab offers courses in solar thermal, photovoltaics, wind power, hydro and Bio-energy, among other areas. Since its launch, Wigton has offered two solar energy courses which involved a series of lectures as well as practical work. The Lab’s offerings have been well-received with Energy Technicians, PV Practitioners and Educators enrolling and completing courses. The next course, which is scheduled for July 12-14, 2017, will focus on wind energy and hydro-power.

Training is delivered by lecturers from the University of the West Indies, the University of Technology, Jamaica, Heart Trust NTA National Tool and Engineering Institute and also Wigton’s Training Coordinators and Service Engineers. Prior to the opening of the lab, the instructors were taught by internationally renowned trainers in renewable energy, from the Renewables Academy (RENAC) of Germany who also installed the equipment and assisted in setting up the Lab.

Wigton’s General Manager, Mr. Earl Barrett said, “As we aim to become Jamaica’s premier institution in renewable energy training, we will be promoting the technologies available at the lab to give interested persons a taste of what to expect when they sign up for our courses.”

“In doing so, we anticipate that there will be greater awareness about the resources available at the Wigton Lab which will encourage more persons to get trained and certified to work in their area of choice in the renewable energy industry,” added Mr. Barrett.